Sharp-looking and fun-to-drive compact-ute benefits from some extra zoom-zoom

Originally published: March 3, 2014

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Overview Fun-to-drive SUV with a bigger enginePros A sport-ute that is actually sporty; Smart City Brake SupportCons Still waiting for the diesel versionValue for money FairWhat would I change? Brighten up the interior

The compact sport-utility segment is so unbelievably competitive that last year’s front runner could easily be relegated to today’s “whatever” if it doesn’t keep up with its rivals — as well as shifting consumer expectations. Last year, more than 315,000 compact SUVs were sold in Canada, second only to compact car sales. Sure, some models, such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape, seem to be more resistant to the yearly vagaries, but that just makes it harder for the rest duking it out for market share.

Mazda is one of those companies in the scrap, its CX-5 (on the market for the past two years) gaining favour with many. Although the SUV has been well received, garnering praise for its SkyActiv technologies, good looks and handling, it’s hampered by its somewhat anemic 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the only powerplant offered until now.

Thankfully, the CX-5 has more ammunition for 2014 in the form of a new 2.5L four-cylinder, standard on the GS and GT trim lines. With 184 horsepower to tap as well as 185 pound-feet of torque, the new engine boasts 19% more horsepower and 23% more torque than the 155-hp 2.0L. The end result is not suddenly scintillating acceleration — there are still 1,600 kilograms worth of SUV to haul around, after all — but there’s just a little more snap off the line and when getting around slower vehicles. In short, it brightens the CX-5’s personality.

If you like black in your interior, you’ll love the CX-5’s cabin. While it may be overly dark, everything is logically placed and easy to use.Handout, Mazda

That said, the high-compression-ratio engine is not the quietest out there, with a distinct growl to it even under light load. And, despite Mazda’s claims the larger engine maintains “the high fuel economy standards set by the SkyActiv-G 2.0L in its segment-leading efficiency,” the 12.8 litres per 100 kilometres I averaged in the SUV — mostly around-town driving, sometimes in heavy traffic — is no better or worse than what I generally achieve with competitive sport-utes. The fact that Mazda has yet to deliver its much-touted diesel engine to North America is disappointing.

A smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission, with ratios that seemed well matched to the engine’s output, is standard on the GS and GT models. Furthermore, the GT comes standard with Mazda’s Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive, a slip-and-grip system that nonetheless proved quite effective — once you get used to its understeer/oversteer handling dynamic — during a 20-centimetre snow dump. It made me feel sorry for all those poor drivers spinning their wheels and going nowhere fast.

There are quite a number of excellent compact sport-utes out there — name me a single mainstream automaker that doesn’t have at least one in its lineup — but the CX-5 is flat-out one of the sportiest and well-balanced for the price (which, in the case of the topline GT, is $33,250). This is the result of a complete re-examination and reworking of the suspension (struts up front, multi-link setup at the rear) and steering (electric power-assisted) systems by Mazda’s engineers during the CX-5’s development process. Better news is that the SUV’s excellent handling isn’t at the expense of a bruising ride. It’s firm, but not unpleasantly so.

The 2014 Mazda CX-5 has 184 horsepower to tap as well as 185 pound-feet of torque, a marked improvement over the base 2.0L engine.Brian Harper, Driving

According to Mazda, SCBS is designed to help avoid a head-on collision when driving at low speeds (roughly between five to 30 kilometres per hour). A laser sensor mounted at the top of the front windshield is used detect an “obtrusive” object and will “reduce the brake rotor travel to quicken braking should the system calculate there is a risk of a collision occurring.” Furthermore, if the driver is slow on the uptake and fails to attempt an avoidance manoeuvre, SCBS will activate an automatic braking function.

Inside, the cabin’s all-black colour scheme is geared toward sportiness rather than luxury. The dashboard isn’t splashy; there’s no weird graphics, just easy-to-read instrumentation — other than the aforementioned TomTom nav system and the smallish 5.8-inch touchscreen — and buttons and controls that are large and in the right places. There is more plastic than I like, but at least it’s of the soft-touch kind. As for modern conveniences, GT models are fitted with an intelligent key system, Bose audio system with nine speakers, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake handle, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, leather upholstery, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with Homelink.

As for interior accommodations, there’s decent legroom and headroom for four six-foot-tall adults, plus 966 litres (34.1 cubic feet) of cargo space behind the 40/20/40-split rear seats that nearly doubles when those seats are folded.

The addition of the 2.5L four-cylinder is a welcomed one, providing consumers with two economical engines to consider, something they won’t often find — the popular-selling CR-V, RAV4 and Nissan Rogue offer but a single engine choice (although Ford’s Escape is available with three powerplant options).

As it stands, the CX-5 remains one of the more enjoyable compacts in the segment — competitively priced, smart looking and fun to drive. It should definitely be on the shopping list for those considering an affordable sport-ute.